30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #222 – 20th October 2024
From the Minister Future World, Future Church
At the end of September, the Saint Columba’s Elders spent a day together looking at priorities for the church in the year ahead (expect to hear more about that at our next Church Meeting in November). As part of that discussion, we looked at the world and the Church of fifty years ago – most of us could remember 1974! Then we looked ahead fifty years, wondering what the world would be like, and how we thought the church should be. It was amazing to think how much technological change there had been in everyone’s life since 1974, and challenging to imagine how much there might be over the next fifty years. We wondered, for example, if the technology we now carry around on our wrists and in our pockets, which would have been science fiction fifty years ago, might, in 2074, have been further miniaturised and inserted into our bodies, accessible by thought or voice command. Not everyone was happy about that idea. I thought about that again today as I read a report that Google has signed a deal to use small nuclear reactors to power its artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. Nuclear power is virtually carbon free, which is better for the environment. At the same time, though, it creates dangerous radioactive waste that we need to store safely in the very, very long term. How does one plan for that? Will the world in fifty years (or five hundred) be a safer, happier place? I don’t know. I suspect that the Church will still be around, though, and I’m confident that God will be so.
PrayerGod of past, present and future, be with us as we take our next steps together. May we strive to love our neighbours as ourselves in that shared future. And may we continue to love you in all the ways you make available to us. Amen.
Inspired by a prayer from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
Minister on Holiday
Trevor will be on holiday from Friday 18th October, returning on Sunday 27th October. If you have a concern which is both significant and urgent, please contact Alison Drew, Church Secretary in the first instance.
Worship SUNDAY 20th October 2024
10.30 a.m. A service led by the Revd Louise Sanders, minister at St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton. (Trevor Jamison will be leading worship at St Andrew’s).
Livestreamed Worship from Saint Columba’s
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
10.30 a.m. A service led by the Revd Louise Sanders, minister at St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton. (Trevor Jamison will be leading worship at St Andrew’s).
Bible readings for Sunday(from the RCL)
Job 38:1-7 (34-41) God challenges Job
Psalm 104:1-9,24, 35c ln wisdom God has created all
Hebrews 5:1-10 Christ saves us, but at a cost
Mark 10:35-45 Greatness lies in serving othersYou can read the Bible passages online at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Reflection on the readings
Be careful what you ask for. James and John, sons of Zebedee, who have been following Jesus right from the beginning of his ministry in Galilee, don’t seem to have taken on board his message. They approach Jesus with a cagey request: ‘we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ (10:35) What they want is preferential treatment from Jesus, to receive places of honour that are denied to their fellow disciples. (37) Unsurprisingly, when the others find out about this request, they are livid. (41) Jesus uses the request as an occasion to emphasise to his followers that true greatness lies in service: ‘whoever wishes to be become great among you must be your servant (43), which is at odds with how things usually operate in the world. (42) What Jesus preaches is also what he practises: ‘for the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.’ (45) Given that Jesus’s servant-greatness came in the giving of his life on the cross, then if James and John had obtained the places of honour they thought they wanted they might have been crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Be careful what you ask for.
Stewardship Campaign Responses – “The Responsibility ls Ours” (TRIO)
A reminder to church members that you are asked to send your response to the TRIO campaign to the Church Treasurer by this Sunday, 20th October. Thank you.
Messy Church – Sunday 3rd November, 3.00 p.m.
Messy Church all-generations worship, exploring the theme of “Light” through craft activities, takes place on Sunday 3rd November, 3.40 p.m. – 5.15 p.m. Everyone is welcome to participate in this popular event – come along and bring your friends.
Movie Night – Monday 18th November at 7.15 p.m.
A date for your diary – this year our Advent discussion series will be based upon the classic Christmas move, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Each week, the theme for discussion will relate to a segment of the movie. Before the series kicks off we’re providing the opportunity to watch the whole film in one go (whether or not you then take part in the discussion series). So bring your snacks and your drinks, your family and your friends, and enjoy the experience.
Next Update – Sunday 27th October
Andrew Atkinson will edit the next Update. Please get your information to him by Tuesday 22nd October.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
At the end of September, the Saint Columba’s Elders spent a day together looking at priorities for the church in the year ahead (expect to hear more about that at our next Church Meeting in November). As part of that discussion, we looked at the world and the Church of fifty years ago – most of us could remember 1974! Then we looked ahead fifty years, wondering what the world would be like, and how we thought the church should be. It was amazing to think how much technological change there had been in everyone’s life since 1974, and challenging to imagine how much there might be over the next fifty years. We wondered, for example, if the technology we now carry around on our wrists and in our pockets, which would have been science fiction fifty years ago, might, in 2074, have been further miniaturised and inserted into our bodies, accessible by thought or voice command. Not everyone was happy about that idea. I thought about that again today as I read a report that Google has signed a deal to use small nuclear reactors to power its artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. Nuclear power is virtually carbon free, which is better for the environment. At the same time, though, it creates dangerous radioactive waste that we need to store safely in the very, very long term. How does one plan for that? Will the world in fifty years (or five hundred) be a safer, happier place? I don’t know. I suspect that the Church will still be around, though, and I’m confident that God will be so.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
Be careful what you ask for. James and John, sons of Zebedee, who have been following Jesus right from the beginning of his ministry in Galilee, don’t seem to have taken on board his message. They approach Jesus with a cagey request: ‘we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ (10:35) What they want is preferential treatment from Jesus, to receive places of honour that are denied to their fellow disciples. (37) Unsurprisingly, when the others find out about this request, they are livid. (41) Jesus uses the request as an occasion to emphasise to his followers that true greatness lies in service: ‘whoever wishes to be become great among you must be your servant (43), which is at odds with how things usually operate in the world. (42) What Jesus preaches is also what he practises: ‘for the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.’ (45) Given that Jesus’s servant-greatness came in the giving of his life on the cross, then if James and John had obtained the places of honour they thought they wanted they might have been crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Be careful what you ask for.